System and method for installing a manifold plug

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to an insert and system of installing the same. The insert includes a tapered core and a cylinder. The core releasably secures to an installation device which includes a depth stop or a depth control to control the installation depth of the insert. The insert may be provided in a tray that allows for easier handling of the inserts and installation thereof in installation holes, for example in a hydraulic manifold. In some cases, the core includes a threaded hole to releasably secure the insert to the installation device, thus allowing the installation device to pull the core into the cylinder. The core and cylinder may be made of metallic materials such as steels, steel alloys and others. In some cases the insert can withstand blow out pressures of 40,000 psi or higher.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following disclosure relates to a plug and a system, kit and methodfor installing the same. More particularly, the plug may be designed toseal manifolds or other devices that may have holes therein, forexample, a hydraulic manifold.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various plug and sealing systems generally known. For example,some commercially available plugs include a rivet system having a stemthat is designed to break off during installation of the plug in a hole.The stem acts similar to a pop rivet. The manufacturing of the stem canbe a complicated and expensive process as the stem must break off at theappropriate force in order to properly install the plug.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,755 to Lundquist discloses a tool and a plug forsealing a hole, for example, an unused coolant passage in an injectionmolding die. The plug includes a flexible, hollow cylindrical sleeve anda core member longitudinally interengageable into the sleeve. The coreis of a generally cylindrical configuration. The sleeve is made of anelastomer material. The tool for installing the plug is activated byhand and does not appear to include any mechanical power. Further, thetool does not appear to have any depth control for controlling theinstallation depth of the insert.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,137 to Nusbaumer et al. discloses a plug assemblycomprising a generally cylindrical expansion sleeve having a socketportion that receives a wedging nut. The head of a screw element engageswith the sleeve on the side of the sleeve opposite the nut such thatrotation of the screw pulls the nut into the sleeve. The threaded holeof the wedging nut extends all the way through the socket and the screwelement remains in the hole after installation.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,381,934 to Brewer et al. discloses a sealing plug forblind installation. The plug includes a sleeve, a nut stem with ashoulder, and a head at least part of which is radially enlarged withrespect to the stem. The nut stem is internally threaded such that whenthe nut stem is pulled axially, the shoulder presses against the sleeveand thereby expands the sleeve against a hole. There does not appear tobe disclosure of the nut stem including a conical or tapered surfacethat presses against the sleeve. Further, the installation gun does notappear to include releasably secured and interchangeable end pieces.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an insert and sealing systemthat allows for easier installation and manufacturing. It is furtherdesirable to provide an insert and sealing system that provides forrepeatable installation of the plug in holes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an insertthat can be installed without a stem.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide aninstallation device that aids in the installation of the insert.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a methodfor installing an insert using the installation device.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a kit forinstalling a plurality of inserts in one or more holes.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an insertthat can withstand high pressures typically found in hydraulicmanifolds.

These and other objects are achieved by providing an insert with atapered core and a cylinder. The core releasably secures to aninstallation device. The installation device includes a depth stop or adepth control to control the installation depth of the insert. Theinsert may be installed in a tray that allows for easier handling of theinserts and installation thereof. In some cases, the core includes athreaded hole to releasably secure the insert to the installationdevice.

In one aspect, a system for sealing a hole is provided and includes aninstallation device having a drive. An end piece may be coupled to theinstallation device and the end piece may include a bore and a distalsurface wherein a dimension of the distal surface is larger than adimension of the hole. A pull-rod may be coupled to the drive. Thepull-rod may further pass through the bore and have a threaded end. Aninsert including a cylindrical sleeve and a core has a threaded hole.The pull-rod is threaded into the threaded hole and the pull-rod isretracted by the drive to pull the core into the cylindrical sleevethereby radially expanding the cylindrical sleeve against the hole.

In another aspect, an insert includes a core having a height and atapered outer wall. A threaded hole is located in a first end of thecore, a depth of the threaded hole is less than the height. Acylindrical metallic sleeve has an inner diameter. The cylindricalmetallic sleeve is in contact with and surrounds at least part of thecore. A second end of the core has an outer diameter larger than theinner diameter.

In still another aspect a device is provided for installing an insert ina hole. The device includes an end piece having a first bore. A pull-rodhas a distal threaded end passing through the first bore. A firstcoupler has a second bore and a first stop. The first stop interactswith a proximal end of the pull rod to prevent the pull-rod from passingall the way through the second bore. An axial drive is secured to thefirst coupler. The axial drive moves the pull-rod in an axial direction.

In still another aspect a method is provided for sealing a hole. Themethod may include the steps of: Providing an insert with a metalliccore defining a first axis and having a tapered wall and a central void,the insert further including a cylindrical metallic sleeve having acentral bore defining a second axis where the metallic core is press-fitinto the cylindrical metallic sleeve and the first and second axesalign; Coupling a pull-rod of an installation device to the centralvoid; Inserting the insert into an installation hole so that a distalsurface of the installation device contacts a surface adjacent to theinstallation hole; Retracting the pull-rod so that the metallic core ispulled into the cylindrical metallic sleeve to radially expand thecylindrical metallic sleeve against a surface of the installation hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary insert.

FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the insert of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is an exploded sectional view along section line 1 c-1 c of theinsert of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a side sectional view along section line 1 c-1 c of theinsert of FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 2A-2D are exemplary views of an insert similar to FIG. 1A beinginstalled in a hole.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the insert of FIG. 1A being threaded ontoan installation machine.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a tray holding multiple inserts of FIG.1A.

FIG. 4B is a side partial cutaway view of the tray of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the installation machine used to installthe insert of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a partially dis-assembled installationmachine used to install the insert of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 7A is a side exploded view of the installation machine used toinstall the insert of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 7B is an alternate embodiment of the end piece of the machine usedto install the insert of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 7C is a side view of the casing that covers the assembly of FIG.7A.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the insert of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 9 shows how the position of the end piece of the machine used toinstall the insert of FIG. 1A can be adjusted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1A-D, the insert 1 has two sections. As shown, core 3 has atapered wall 2 and an upper cylindrical section 7. In some embodiments,the tapered section will extend from the top of the core towards thebottom. In some cases, a rounded section is disposed at the top of thecore and the taper extends at the end of the rounded section.Cylindrical sleeve 5 has an outer surface which may include ridges orrings 6. The ridges may interact with an installation hole in order tobetter secure or seal the plug to the hole. Although ridges are shown,it is understood that other textures can be used on the outside of theplug. In the illustrated embodiment, the series of rings provide bothadditional resistance and friction against the inside of theinstallation hole. The rings can further act as flow stops that can helpto prevent leakage through the installation hole when the insert isinstalled in the installation hole as fluid would need to pass beyondeach of the ridges. Therefore, inconsistencies and surfaceirregularities in the hole can be taken into account by the ridges. Therings may further provide added resistance to blow out.

Cylindrical sleeve 5 has a top surface 12 and has a void 10 passingthrough the cylindrical sleeve 5. Core 3 inserts into the void 10 at oneend. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1D, cylindrical section 7of the core 3 is press fit into the lower end of sleeve 5. Thetolerances between the diameter of the void 10 and the diameter of thecylindrical section 7 allow the cylindrical sleeve 5 to retain the core3 to create an assembled insert as shown in FIG. 1D and FIG. 1A. Thecore 3 has a hole 14 that can releasably secure to an installationdevice. As shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D, the hole 14 is threaded inorder to provide the releasable securing. It is also contemplated thatthe hole 14 can include various structures that provide for releasablesecuring of the plug. For example, the hole may have a groove cut outthere from that can interact with a catch that can extend or retractfrom the installation device. As one example, the hole 14 may include afirst section with a first diameter and a second section with a seconddiameter disposed below the first section of the hole 14. A catch caninteract with the second section or the downward facing surface definedbetween the first and second sections.

As further shown, the bottom 16 of core 3 is solid and the hole 14 doesnot pass all the way through the core 3. It is contemplated that certainapplications for the plug may include the hole 14 extending all the waythrough core 3. As one example, hydraulic lines may be installed in aninsert having a hole extending all the way through the core. In somecases, the threads used to install hydraulic or other lines may becomedamaged. Rather than replacing the entire manifold, the threaded hole ofthe manifold can be bored out and an insert can be inserted inside thebored out hole. When the threads pass all the way through the core 3,the insert can be used to repair threads for hydraulic lines.

Proximate to bottom section 18, a lip may be located within cylindricalsleeve 5. Further core 3 may include a corresponding lip close to thetop of the tapered section or cylindrical section 7. These two lips caninteract to prevent or resist the possibility that core 3 can beextracted from cylindrical sleeve 5.

In FIGS. 2A-2D the insert 1 is shown being installed in installationhole 32. The pull-rod 20 is inserted into the insert to contact thethreaded hole. In one embodiment, pressure on the pull-rod activates aswitch to cause rotation of the pull-rod, thereby threading the pull-rodinto the insert 1. In FIG. 2B, the insert is shown threaded onto thepull-rod 20. The top surface of the insert sleeve 5 is in contact withdistal surface 22 of the installation device. The diameter of the hole34 is smaller than the diameter or size 23 of the distal surface. Asshown in FIG. 2C, when the insert is inserted into the hole 32, part ofthe distal surface 22 rests on the surface 36 that is adjacent to hole32, thereby controlling the installation depth of the insert. From FIGS.2c to 2d , pull-rod 20 is retracted into the installation device therebyradially expanding the insert against the wall of the hole. The pull-rodthen extends and rotates out of the insert, leaving the insert installedin the hole 32.

In one embodiment, the core and sleeve of the insert are made of ametallic material, in some cases a steel or aluminum alloy can be used.In some embodiments, the insert can be design to resist blow out forpressures of 40,000 psi. The insert shown in FIGS. 2A-2D is shown inmore detail in FIG. 9. As can be seen, top lip 11 provides an additionalsealing function where the top surface of the core presses against lip11 to provide additional leakage resistance.

The core and cylinder are sized so that the core can be press-fit intothe cylinder. The taper angle of the core is designed to providesufficient radial expansion without being so large as to progressivelyforce the core out of the cylinder. Too large of an angle could resulton too high of a resultant downward force between the cylinder and corewhich could force the core out of the cylinder over time. Therefore, thetaper angle may be as large as 10°. Preferably, the angle is in therange of 5°-6°. The outer dimension of the sleeve and the innerdimension of the hole are typically also within close tolerances so thatthe radial expansion of the sleeve is sufficient to seal the hole. Forexample, the outer diameter of the sleeve may be 0″ to 0.004″ smallerthan the diameter of the hole (diameter difference). It is understoodthat larger differences in diameter between the sleeve and the holecould still seal the hole, but may result in a lower blow out pressure.In addition, the ridges or ribs that protrude from the sleeve canprovide additional guards for sealing the hole. It is understood thatthe ribs may be created by removal of material from the sleeve inchannels to create the ribs or ridges that are raised with respect tothe channel. These ribs or ridges can account for 0-20% of the outerdiameter of the sleeve and more preferably 15-20% of the outer diameterof the sleeve. In some cases, the ridges can protrude 0.004-0.008″ andpreferably 0.006″. Therefore, the ratio of ridge protrusion to diameterdifference may be approximately 1:1-1:2 and preferably 1:1.5. Thecylinder and core are typically made of relatively hard materials, forexample steels. In some cases, the hardness may be measured as Re20 onthe Rockwell hardness scale. In some cases the hardness of the rings orridges may be increased so that the ridges are forced into the surfaceof the installation hole, thus providing added sealing and resistance toleakage. It is understood that the specific dimensional characteristicsdescribed herein are exemplary only and not limiting in scope.

In FIG. 3, the installation device is shown with the pull-rod 20 placedagainst the insert 1. The insert 1 is located in a tray 40. Uponexerting pressure against the insert, pull-rod 20 retracts slightly toactivate switch 44. Upon activation of the switch, pull-rod 20 rotatesto thread the insert onto the pull-rod. Once the insert is threaded ontothe rod, the insert can be installed in the hole as shown in FIGS.2A-2D.

It is understood that the installation device can also be a robotic orother mechanical arm that is computer or electronically controlled. Forexample, on an assembly line. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, a tray 40 has holes 42disposed in a known pattern so that the installation device can pick upan insert by threading the pull-rod into the core. Therefore, the traycan come with a plurality of inserts pre-installed therein. In addition,one or more reference marks can be found on the insert tray in order tocalibrate the location of the inserts. The inserts are pressed into theholes 42 so that part of the wall 41 contacts the insert. As shown inFIG. 4B, the wall contacts the bottom section of the core. It isunderstood that the tray can be designed to contact the sleeve or boththe sleeve and core. In one embodiment, the torque exerted on the insertwhen the pull-rod 20 is threaded into the insert is less than the forceexerted on the insert by contact with the tray 40. This force allows thepull-rod 20 to rotate without causing the insert to rotate within thehole 42. Thus allowing the insert to be connected to the pull-rod 20without a human holding the insert. The tray further allows roboticinstallation systems to easily pick up inserts on assembly lines.

In FIG. 5, an example of a hand-held installation device is shown. Endpiece 50 can be rotated to adjust the amount of the pull-rod extendingfrom the end of the installation device 21. Casing 52 is shown, and thepull-rod retracts and rotates within this casing. Trigger 54 can bedepressed to activate a retraction mechanism to pull the pull-rod intothe casing in order to pull the core into the sleeve. Adjustment wheel58 can be rotated to adjust the length of the pull stroke. Theinstallation device 21 as shown is pneumatically activated. Connection56 receives pneumatic supply lines that feed pressurized air to theinstallation device 21.

In FIG. 6, the casing 52 is removed and the internal couplings 60 of theinstallation device are shown. Pull-rod 20 as shown is a bolt with athreaded portion. The pull-rod is held by a first coupler 62 which issecured to the gun by a second coupler 61. Interlocking rod 70 andrecess 69 prevent the second coupler 61 from rotating. The interlockingrod 70 can be spring loaded and retractable along the axis of thepull-rod so that the interlocking rod 70 can be retracted to allow thesecond coupler 61 to be rotated.

In FIG. 7A, pull rod 20 includes a head with a hex recess 66. Hexprotrusion 65 extends from a rotation coupler 64. The rotation coupleris inserted into hex hole 67 and spring 68 allows for the rotationcoupler 64 to move back and forth. When pressed into the hole 67,coupler 64 activates switch 44 shown in FIG. 3 to cause rotation of thepull-rod. First coupler 62 has the pull-rod inserted therein, and thehead of the bolt interacts with an internal surface of the first coupler62 to provide an insertion stop. The insertion stop likewise exertspressure on the underside of the head when coupling assembly 60 isretracted to radially expand the metallic sleeve of the insert. Secondcoupler 61 also includes a stop 75, recesses 69 and threads 73. The stopof the second coupler exerts pressure on the underside of the firstcoupler 62 when the coupling assembly is retracted. The female threads73 interlock with male threads 71 of the retracting member 74. Aspreviously discussed, rod 70 and recess 69 interact to secure the secondcoupler to the retracting member 74 to complete the coupling assembly60. Sleeve 52 is hollow and extends over the coupling assembly 60 withthreads 24 securing to threads 72. FIG. 7C shows the casing 52, which isinstalled over the assembly of FIG. 7A.

In FIG. 7B, an alternate end piece 500 is shown with a distal extension502 extending from the end piece 500. This distal extension has adiameter smaller than the size of the installation hole, but largeenough so that the distal surface of the distal extension 502 contactstop surface 12 of the insert. The length of the distal extension 502controls the installation depth of the insert as distal surface 22 ofthe alternate end piece 500 contacts the outer surface 36 of theinstallation hole.

In FIG. 8, the alternate embodiment of an insert is shown with a curvedsection 11 that mates with a corresponding curved section of the corewhen the core is pulled into the cylinder during installation. In FIG.9, adjustment of the end piece 50 is shown. Rotation of the end piece 90causes the end piece to extend or retract, thus adjusting how much ofthe pull-rod 20 extends past the distal surface 22.

Sealing is obtained by the expansion of the insert against the holewhich may be in a manifold. Further, the depth the tapered section ispulled into the cylindrical section may be predetermined and repeatableregardless of hole size based on a pull setting of the installationdevice. The depth of pull can also be controlled by a force sensor or acontrol system. For example, upon reaching a certain pull force, theinstallation device may stop pulling on the insert and proceed torelease the insert from the end piece. The pre-determined pull force maybe set based on hole size, insert size or other criteria related to theinstallation of the plug in the hole. The insert when installedwithstands high pressures commonly found in hydraulic manifolds andsystems. For example, some embodiments of the inserts shown anddescribed herein can withstand pressures up to and in excess of 40,000PSI.

Although generally round inserts have been shown, it is understood thatthe geometry of the plug can change in order to interact with the holeto be sealed. It is further understood that various types of drives maybe employed with the installation device, for example hydraulic orelectric motor drives can be employed.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particulararrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended toexhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many othermodifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill inthe art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for sealing a hole having a firstdiameter comprising: an installation device having a drive; an end piececoupled to said installation device and including a bore and a distalsurface wherein a dimension of said distal surface is larger than adimension of the hole; a pull-rod coupled to said drive and passingthrough said bore, the pull-rod having a threaded end; an insertincluding a cylindrical sleeve and a core, the cylindrical sleeve beingmetallic and having a through hole with the core positioned in thethrough hole, the core having a threaded hole at a first end and atapered outer wall, wherein a maximum outer diameter of said insert isequal to or less than the first diameter and a depth of the threadedhole is less than a height of the core a second end of said core havingan outer diameter larger than the inner diameter; a switch coupled to arotation drive and said pull-rod coupler such that axial pressure onsaid pull-rod activates said switch; wherein activation of said switchcauses said rotation drive to rotate said pull-rod; and said pull-rodthreadable into the threaded hole and said pull-rod retractable by saiddrive to pull the core into the cylindrical sleeve thereby radiallyexpanding the cylindrical sleeve against the hole wherein theinstallation device and insert are configured such that after retractionof said pull-rod to pull the core into the cylindrical sleeve, saidinstallation device is configured to rotate said pull-rod and releasethe threaded end from the threaded hole of the core.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the core has a height greater than a depth of thethreaded hole.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said distal surfacecontacts a surface adjacent to the hole to control an installation depthof said insert in the hole.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein at leastpart of said core is press-fit into the cylindrical sleeve.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1 further comprising protrusions located on an outersurface of said metallic sleeve, said protrusions configured as at leasttwo separate rings.
 6. The system of claim 1 further comprising: anouter support connected to said installation device and having a distalend; said end piece threaded into said outer support at said distal end;wherein a distance between the distal surface and said distal end isadjustable through rotation of said end piece.
 7. The system of claim 1further comprising: a tray having a plurality of voids, at least one ofwhich has an insert placed therein; wherein the voids have a size sothat when the insert is pressed into one of the voids, rotation of saidpull-rod inside the threaded hole creates a torque less than a frictionforce exerted against the cylindrical sleeve; said threading stepincluding threading said pull-rod into the insert that is placed in saidtray.
 8. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a button whereinpressure on said button causes the axial drive to retract along an axisof the pull-rod.
 9. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a firstcoupler; a second coupler having a stop; said first coupler insertedinto said second coupler; wherein said drive is secured to said firstcoupler with said second coupler.
 10. The system of claim 1 furthercomprising: said pull-rod coupler in contact with the proximal end ofsaid pull rod so that rotation of said pull-rod coupler causes rotationof said pull-rod.
 11. The system of claim 1 wherein said rotation driveand said axial drive are each selected from the group consisting of: apneumatic drive, a hydraulic drive, an electric motor drive andcombinations thereof.
 12. The system of claim 1 further comprising: adistal surface located on said end piece and having a dimension largerthan a dimension of the hole.
 13. The system of claim 12 whereinretraction of said pull-rod causes said distal surface to bear againstsaid cylindrical sleeve so that said core is pulled into and causesradial expansion of said cylindrical sleeve.